Jay-Z, Roc Nation sign publishing deal with Warner/Chappell

Agreement covers future work plus catalog titles like 'Empire State of Mind'

Rap titan Jay-Z and the publishing roster of his company Roc Nation have signed a global publishing administration deal with Warner Music Group’s pubbery Warner/Chappell.

Agreement, which is effective immediately, covers all of Jay-Z’s future works plus his catalog dating back to 2008, including the chart-topping “The Blueprint 3” and “Watch the Throne,” his collaborative effort with Kanye West. Songs include “Empire State of Mind” and the Grammy-winning “N****s in Paris” and “No Church in the Wild.”

By the end of the year, deal will cover the majority of the 17-time Grammy-winner’s writing catalog, including such albums as “The Blueprint Vol. 2…Hard Knock Life” and “The Black Album.”

Warner/Chappell president, creative-North America Jon Platt said in a statement, “I first partnered with Jay in 1996, and it’s been thrilling to work with my friend over the past 16 years as he’s grown into one of the world’s best songwriters and become a global icon. He consistently breaks new ground, producing an incredible body of work that will be enjoyed by generations of fans to come. At the same time, Roc Nation is one of the most dynamic and influential music companies around.”